My version of 15 by 15

I'm 56 and have the same story. I'm lucky I didn't go f-ing berserk before retiring. Now I just have to be told that I'm too young to be retired and I just say no, not too young, just lucky. I can make a little money on the side while also volunteering and feeling 1000 percent more productive than I've felt in my last 20 at Merck. Pharma sales became such a pathetic existence for a buck.

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pathetic existence is right!! I am so much happier now that I am out of that racket...

The "feel good" about this whole thing is reserved for those with hugh number of years under their belt and money to match. I have the age but not the years, or financial situation where I could even think about volunteering or a accepting a low paid job....

Pushing the "relief I'm gone" talk does not apply to everyone...by any means.

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If it is going to be hard for you when you leave, let them terminate you. At least you will get state unemployment for a year or so depending on your location. Good luck to you and remember, most of us have other talents that can be used to our benefit. NO, I am not being a "pollyanna". I just think that we have suppressed our other interests/ talents for a job that at one time was an important one. Be well- I am out and loving it.

If it is going to be hard for you when you leave, let them terminate you. At least you will get state unemployment for a year or so depending on your location. Good luck to you and remember, most of us have other talents that can be used to our benefit. NO, I am not being a "pollyanna". I just think that we have suppressed our other interests/ talents for a job that at one time was an important one. Be well- I am out and loving it.

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Unemployment will soon be back to 26 weeks. No year or more. Besides, it wont get the bills covered. Take a look at the take home on it, some of the most expensive states to live pay the lowest.

Unemployment will soon be back to 26 weeks. No year or more. Besides, it wont get the bills covered. Take a look at the take home on it, some of the most expensive states to live pay the lowest.

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I know. Deal with it, for that is all we can do. It might get awfully ugly but what else can one do but deal with it the best they can. As long as you're still with Merck, do all those things to prepare yourself for not being at Merck. Nobody says this will be easy or comfortable. Cut your bills, sell your house, car, boat, etc. Do whatever it takes to prepare yourself to leave Merck, either on your own terms or theirs. Bitching accomplishes nothing. Dealing with it accomplishes everything.

I know. Deal with it, for that is all we can do. It might get awfully ugly but what else can one do but deal with it the best they can. As long as you're still with Merck, do all those things to prepare yourself for not being at Merck. Nobody says this will be easy or comfortable. Cut your bills, sell your house, car, boat, etc. Do whatever it takes to prepare yourself to leave Merck, either on your own terms or theirs. Bitching accomplishes nothing. Dealing with it accomplishes everything.

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so true...and great advice...I was pushed out recently by Merck and will be forced to sell my house, and maybe my car...(Riding a motorbike now to save on gas)

You know what though?? I am happier and more productive than i have been in years...When you get Merck further into your rear view mirror, you shake your head in disbelief that you ever stayed in such an abusive, dysfunctional situation...

I feel bad for those that are still there...(Except of the S3s that for some reason are Merck's golden children--not sure why?)

so true...and great advice...I was pushed out recently by Merck and will be forced to sell my house, and maybe my car...(Riding a motorbike now to save on gas)

You know what though?? I am happier and more productive than i have been in years...When you get Merck further into your rear view mirror, you shake your head in disbelief that you ever stayed in such an abusive, dysfunctional situation...

I feel bad for those that are still there...(Except of the S3s that for some reason are Merck's golden children--not sure why?)

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Good luck to you. I hope your future is bright. I admire you for shaking off the negativity

We need an update! How did you do last week? I pulled off only 21 hours! If it weren't for all of those lunch appointments, it would have been much less. Love this new approach! I can't wait to leave this craphole, but I'm taking this easy money for as long as possible.

We need an update! How did you do last week? I pulled off only 21 hours! If it weren't for all of those lunch appointments, it would have been much less. Love this new approach! I can't wait to leave this craphole, but I'm taking this easy money for as long as possible.

On behalf of all of those who have been shafted....FU, Merck!

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OP back. Last week was great. I love Christmas shopping during the week while everyone is working! Hell I even went to see a movie. I worked about 12 hours total. I check VM early morning, at noon and around 5pm. I make sure to send a few emails early and late each week so everyone thinks I'm working hard. I'm probably one of the last people in the district my CTL would believe is doing the 15x15 when I'm actually the originator of it! I may have to change it up next year to 12 through 12. 12 hours a week through 2012! 12T12.....I like it!

Man I feel a flu or something comin on. My throat is scratchy, sinus pressure and stuff. I think I may need to take the next couple days off sick. Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for a few days... .................Take care everyone, especially my 15x15 brothers & sisters! Oh and I almost forgot, FU Merck!

OP back. Last week was great. I love Christmas shopping during the week while everyone is working! Hell I even went to see a movie. I worked about 12 hours total. I check VM early morning, at noon and around 5pm. I make sure to send a few emails early and late each week so everyone thinks I'm working hard. I'm probably one of the last people in the district my CTL would believe is doing the 15x15 when I'm actually the originator of it! I may have to change it up next year to 12 through 12. 12 hours a week through 2012! 12T12.....I like it!

Man I feel a flu or something comin on. My throat is scratchy, sinus pressure and stuff. I think I may need to take the next couple days off sick. Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for a few days... .................Take care everyone, especially my 15x15 brothers & sisters! Oh and I almost forgot, FU Merck!

OP back. Last week was great. I love Christmas shopping during the week while everyone is working! Hell I even went to see a movie. I worked about 12 hours total. I check VM early morning, at noon and around 5pm. I make sure to send a few emails early and late each week so everyone thinks I'm working hard. I'm probably one of the last people in the district my CTL would believe is doing the 15x15 when I'm actually the originator of it! I may have to change it up next year to 12 through 12. 12 hours a week through 2012! 12T12.....I like it!

Man I feel a flu or something comin on. My throat is scratchy, sinus pressure and stuff. I think I may need to take the next couple days off sick. Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me for a few days... .................Take care everyone, especially my 15x15 brothers & sisters! Oh and I almost forgot, FU Merck!

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I admire you if you can pull this off...Screw Merck back...I love it...and everyone should try and do it...the whole pharma industry is a scam now anyway...

the only thing I wonder is how you can work so little and keep the manager off of your back..?? I found (when I was still at Merck before getting pushed out at 50) that between loading the car up, making calls and getting sample sigs, getting through traffic, calling the caterer and doing lunches, starbucks, Bagels, Donuts, etc., tons of testing modules, training modules, general admin, emails, voicemails, and general worry about being unemployable should the job end, It was well over 40 hours a week...even when I wanted to screw Merck and have it be less...

How the heck do you only do 15 hours a week and not get caught for dashboard infractions???

OP back. Just returned last night from NYC with my wife. Took her to the city to do some Christmas shopping. We flew out early Thursday morning as I totally blew off work on Thursday and Friday.We had a great time and went to see Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre on Friday night. We stayed in Times Square and had a wonderful time seeing all the Christmas decorations and stuff. It was something that she always wanted to do, so I planned it out and surprised her. Only a few more hours of work for me for the year. I'm gonna button things up in the next couple of days and be done with 2011 but not until after I expense a nice Holiday spread for my family. Embrace 15X15 & enjoy the lifestyle! FU Merck!

OP back. Just returned last night from NYC with my wife. Took her to the city to do some Christmas shopping. We flew out early Thursday morning as I totally blew off work on Thursday and Friday.We had a great time and went to see Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre on Friday night. We stayed in Times Square and had a wonderful time seeing all the Christmas decorations and stuff. It was something that she always wanted to do, so I planned it out and surprised her. Only a few more hours of work for me for the year. I'm gonna button things up in the next couple of days and be done with 2011 but not until after I expense a nice Holiday spread for my family. Embrace 15X15 & enjoy the lifestyle! FU Merck!

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You must be tired. Posting in the middle of night is not good for you. Take some more R&R and catch on the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's